What to do at Sea

A 10 night TransAtlantic cruise, with no intermediate port stops, is an excellent opportunity to contemplate - just what does one do at sea?  Day after Day?  Here are a few visual responses, followed by more details in the subsequent sections. By row:

1. Watch the Sailaway; Plan to spend more time in bed; Get out on the balcony before the temperature drops (it’s January)
2. Catch some Beatles; hydrate; Enjoy acrobatics show; capture a special rainbow photo
3. Find a Duck; check out some waves; Relax while watching a beautiful sunset; enjoy luxury before returning to land

Also, we enjoy reading (including audio books I’ve downloaded in advance), soaking in the ocean views, and of course - planning future cruises.

Cabin Plusses and Minuses - location

• #17722 (The Haven) - it’s hard to complain about much in The Haven.  Positives included:
  • Space and extra seating areas, with the opportunity to stretch out and enjoy the comfort without bumping into each other.
  • Balcony size - plenty of room although I found the layout a bit odd, with room for just one lounger to the side, while there was a comfortable area for two chairs and a table.  The second half of the journey was a bit chilly, so it was necessary to dress warmly for an outdoor respite.
  • Cabin attendant responsiveness - satisfactory, as expected in an upgraded cabin.

Crowded?  Kid Friendly?

• TransAtlantic crossings during normal school periods are not going to have many children.
• This Cruise was noteworthy for its timing; most TransAtlantic cruises are scheduled for the fall (eastbound) and in the spring (westbound).
  • If TransAtlantics appeal to you, keep an eye out for repositioning cruises, and dry-dock schedules.  There are websites devoted to providing this information, in addition to each cruiseline’s published schedules.
• If you travel with children, check out the Guppies and Splash Academy.  There is a cost, but may be worth it for a parental assistance (break).
• Special to this class of ship is the Observation Lounge on Deck 15, front.  Unfortunately, this extra viewing area can fill up at times so enjoy the view early, late, or during meals, when there may be more seating available.

Entertainment

• In the Cavern Club, a Beatles tribute band played regularly, with performances rotating through three distinct time periods in Beatle history.
• Cruise lines have plenty of acrobatic shows; the husband/wife team performance and choreography were easily top tier.
• Unique to NCL, the Speedway offers (at an extra cost), go-cart racing on two levels.
• High energy production shows are scheduled, e.g., cabaret and musicals.

Dining (also, see Tips)

• Besides the Main Dining Room, the Joy has two very similar venues - Savor and Taste, which share a common waiting area.  Menus are comparable and our choice was based solely on whichever had the shortest line, although it’s nice to stick to one, once you become familiar with the staff.
• There are several specialty restaurants; however on this cruise we rotated among the “no extra cost” locations.
• On this cruise, the upgraded Haven amenities included a special restaurant, where we enjoyed many breakfasts, lunches and dinners.  The lunches began to get repetitive, so we began to visit other options after a few days.
• The Manhattan Room is a complementary restaurant where we enjoyed a couple very nice steak dinners.  The feel of this location is slightly upscale, with gentle live music playing periodically.

Fitness Center

• This cruise appeals to a slightly older crowd.  While not suggesting that (us) old folks don’t stay fit, the gym was rarely crowded.
• Equipment and weights were fairly standard, but in above average condition.
• Fitness classes are offered, although we chose to exercise solo.

Will We Do It Again?

Absolutely.  NCL provided a wonderful experience.  After several Norwegian cruises in our early “cruise life,” this trip refreshed some of our positive past experiences.  Note that a significant portion of our NCL cruises have been on the “Breakaway Class,” of which the Joy is one.